Category: Economics

• Canadians Christmas Spending Defies Debt Levels

  This Christmas was a good one for Canadian retailers. Moneris Solutions, a payment processor, reported 4.6 percent more spending. Early data from IBM shows that consumers were even spending on Boxing Day sales just after they opened their presents on Christmas morning (Link). Clearly, Canadian consumers are spending contrary to record consumer debt levels and…

  December 28, 2011

  · Canada, Economics

• The Economic Impact of the Canada-U.S. Border

  Make no mistake, lowering the barriers to trade between the Canadian and American borders could bring huge economic gains for Canada. As it stands, trade between Canada and the U.S. is far below its potential level. Although NAFTA eliminated a huge swath of tariffs and duties, other barriers to trade remain. The border between Canada…

  December 7, 2011

  · Canada, Canada, Economics, U.S.

• For Now, Global Turmoil will not Phase Canada’s Economy

  Canada’s economy has avoided the effects of global financial turmoil thanks to a hot housing market and the end of some temporary economic shocks. GDP is set to have its strongest quarter since the fourth quarter of 2010, offsetting the temporary weakness from the second quarter. Growth in July and August was quite solid, and…

  November 22, 2011

  · Canada, Economics

• Opposing Political and Economic Forces Set to Tear Eurozone Apart

  Nouriel Roubini has criticized the European Central Bank for being a lender of last resort – a buyer for European bonds when interest rates become unsustainably high. However, politics is stopping the use of monetary policy, which could soften the economic blow to countries facing severe austerity measures. In a NY times piece today, a…

  November 17, 2011

  · Economics, U.S., World